20th Circuit Court

College Internships

Whether your college major is a criminal justice or corrections-related field, law, psychology, social work, education, liberal arts or business, the Courts may have an internship opportunity for you.

The purpose of a quality internship is to provide a practical learning experience within the justice system, which benefits both the student, school and our court. Additionally, it allows the intern to complete the internship requirements for his/her college degree.

Our Mission is to administer justice and restore wholeness in a manner that inspires public trust. In addition to our mission, the 20th Judicial Circuit and Ottawa County Probate Courts also feel a responsibility to contribute to the development and training of future professionals for the criminal justice system and other related social service fields through our Internship Program.

• Internship Job Descriptions

  Placement - Court Division

  Juvenile Caseworker - Family Division, Juvenile Court
  Juvenile Clerical - Family Division, Juvenile Court
  Youth Specialist - Juvenile Detention Center
  Lighthouse Program - Juvenile Detention Center
  Treatment Services - Juvenile Court, Treatment Services
  Restorative Community Service - Juvenile Court, Treatment Services
  Friend of the Court Investigator - Family Division, Domestic Services
  Legal Self-Help Center - Friend of the Court
  Court Administration - Trial Division
  Felony Collections/Legal - Trial Division
  Clerical/Legal - Probate Court

• Benefit to Student Interns

  Our responsibility is to provide an environment in which a student intern will, after orientation and training, be able to:

  • Understand and apply academic theory in a realistic setting.
  • Understand the function and structure of the Circuit and Probate Courts and their relationship to other parts of the criminal system.
  • Understand the interaction with supervisory staff, court customers and community resources.
  • Reference letter for future employment upon successful completion.
• Benefit to to Courts

  The 20th Judicial Circuit and Ottawa County Probate Court will benefit from a quality internship program by:

  • Having motivated and capable students assist with the delivery of casework and other court-related services.
  • Having assistance on special projects beneficial to the 20th Judicial Circuit and Ottawa County Probate Court.
  • Sharing of educational knowledge and enhancing the 20th Judicial Circuit and Ottawa County Probate Court knowledge base.
  • Having continual interaction with new people and ideas.
• Internship Supervision

  Supervision in the Internship Program will be provided by experienced, professional staff committed to their work and to the development and education of future professionals.

• Eligibility Criteria
  • You must be 18 years of age.
  • Have the ability to pass a criminal background check prior to being accepted to the Internship.
  • Provide for your own transportation.
  • You must be a junior or senior or enrolled in a recognized bachelor degree or graduate program.